The BCCI has sprung a major surprise ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 by dropping Shubham Gill from the squad and removing him as vice-captain, with all-rounder Axar Patel handed the leadership role instead.
The decision, taken after Gill’s recent struggles in white-ball cricket, sparked immediate debate among fans and experts. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has now explained the reasoning behind the call, shedding light on why Axar was chosen to step up as India’s new vice-captain.
Why Axar Patel Named Vice-Captain?
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the reason behind choosing Axar Patel for the vice-captain, by saying, “Shubman was the vice-captain, but he’s not in the team, so someone else had to be vice-captain. Before, when Shubman was not playing T20Is and was playing Test cricket, Axar was the vice-captain.
Axar Patel Experienced Vice-Captain
Axar Patel had previously served as vice-captain during India’s five-match T20I series against England in early 2025. Shubman Gill has struggled for consistency in the shortest format, managing just 291 runs across his last 15 T20 matches at an average of 24.25.
Despite comparable concerns over form, Suryakumar Yadav was retained as India’s T20 captain. A recognised T20 specialist, Suryakumar has scored only 244 runs in his last 22 innings in the format, without registering a single half-century.
India Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan.
Manisha Chauhan is a passionate journalist with 3 years of experience in the media industry, covering everything from trending entertainment buzz and celebrity spotlights to thought-provoking book reviews and practical health tips. Known for blending fresh perspectives with reader-friendly writing, she creates content that informs, entertains, and inspires. When she’s not chasing the next viral story, you’ll find her diving into a good book or exploring new wellness trends.
